Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Anyone with captive birds should ensure that they are housed and that every possible biosecurity measure is in place to protect the birds because, obviously, the risk is high at the moment. The disease is in the wild bird population and is highly pathogenic and highly infectious, so every step must be taken. That is why I put the housing order in place.

The run-up to Christmas is obviously an important time of year for the turkey trade. With the measures we have in place, I am very confident there will be no supply issue. It is very unfortunate that we have seen two turkey farms affected so far. Both had approximately 4,000 turkeys, so the numbers are very small in the context of our national numbers. Some 2 million families will soon be serving Christmas dinner around the country. Obviously, however, these outbreaks are significant for the two farms concerned. Last year we had six cases in commercial flocks over the course of the season and there were six cases in Northern Ireland last year as well, so it is certainly possible we could see more cases. This disease is highly infectious. That is why we have put in place the most secure measures possible and advice to farmers as to how to keep their flocks safe. However, the risk remains, as we have seen this week, with a second flock now infected. It is therefore crucial that, over the coming period, everyone takes every possible step. The risk will remain but, working together, we will ensure there is no wider issue for the sector and no impact on the availability of turkeys for Christmas.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. It is a challenging time for the farmers concerned. Where there is depopulation involved, compensation is available for the farmer concerned. Obviously, that does not take away the enormous strain, stress and loss for the affected farmers, but there is a compensation scheme in place for them.